Photograph mounting jig

ABSTRACT

A small jig device for use in laminatingly mounting a photograph or the like and in squaring the photograph with a backing card as the card and photograph are contact-adhesive-bonded together. The jig device includes right angular abutment surfaces adapted for engaging corresponding corner edge portions of the photograph and card items, and includes thin separator means arranged between corresponding corner portions of the card and photograph for providing finger-grip means operative in the initial stage of the photograph mounting procedure.

United States Patent Weggeland [4 July 25, 1972 54] PHOTOGRAPH MOUNTING JIG 3,382,779 5/1968 'L' nas "93/1 0 [72] Imam: John Henry weagehmd 401 E. Leland 3,457,697 7/1969 Engelstein ..53/l23 Heights Blvd Lehigh Acres Fla 33936 3,484,097 12/1969 Jory ..93/1 G 3,524,299 8/1970 Mundt ..53/123 X [22] Filed: Sept. 29, 1970 3,208,899 9/1965 Bicher ..269/3l9 X [2]] App! Primary Examiner-Wayne A. Morse,.lr.

Attorney-John Cyril Malloy [52] US. Cl. ..269/3, 269/40, 269/43,

' 269/319, 269/321 W [57] ABSTRACT [51] Int.Cl. ..B25b3/00,B25b1/24, B23q 3/18 A small jig device for use in laminatingly mounting a photo [58] FieldoiSearch ..53/l23,93/1 G,

269/14 40 43 2540 319 321w graph or the like and in squaring the photograph with a backing card as the card and photograph are contact-adhe- [56] References Cited sivebonded together. The jig device includes right angular abutment surfaces adapted for engaging corresponding corner UNITED STATES PATENTS edge portions of the photograph and card items, and includes thin separator means arranged between corresponding corner 3,122,095 2/1964 Miller ..269/2 X portions f h d d photograph for providing finger-grip 3 g f y 3 means operative in the initial stage of the photograph mountovia in rocedure 1,850,806 3/1932 Noel ..269/2 gp 3,369,338 2/1968 Koeppe ..53/ 123 X 3 Claims, 5 Drawing figures PW? we. 25 m2 INVENTOR. r/Of/AJ H MEGGELHND HTTOIV/VE),

PHOTOGRAPH MOUNTING JIG BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to jig or guide devices operative in positioning paperboard sheet items or the like during fabrication or assembly, and particularly relates to such devices used in contact-adhesive-mounting photographic prints or Polaroid pictures on reinforcing backing card structure or the like.

2. Description of the Prior Art In mounting photographic prints or Polaroid pictures, typically the print or picture is mounted on a reinforcing or backing card having contact-adhesive means formed on one face surface thereof. A problem of particular import in mounting photographic prints or the like is in properly squaring the print with a backing card before the print and card are con tact-jointed together. As is well known, a signal property of a contact-adhesive is the property permitting to it to form substantially an instant bond between surfaces. In contact bonding a Polaroid picture or photographic print on a backing card, not infrequently the print and card are not square one to the other and results in imperfect mounting and unattractive appearance of the mounted picture. Moreover, the picture may not usually be removed and re-bonded, since there is likelihood that the picturewill be damaged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The instant invention obviates the above-mentioned objectionable features and provides a jig device, the use of such affording accurate correspondingpositioning of a picture and backing card before these elements are brought together and adhesively bonded. The jig device of the instant invention preferably is of compact form, permitting ready portage; it may be conveniently carried, and is particularly useful in mounting Polaroid camera pictures. The device is of substantially simple and sturdy design, without complicated or intricate elements subject to malfunction. The device is easy to use and may be used proficiently with negligible skill or practice. It may optionally be of small hand-tool configuration or may be stationarily supported on a camera body or cameracarrying case structure or the like. The substantially simple design of the mounting jig device admits of economical manufacture and marketing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING I FIG. I is a perspective view of the picture mounting jig device of the instant invention, shown in an in-use disposition, with a picture sheet A and a backing card B (illustrated in broken lines);

FIG. 2 is a top view of the jig device;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view thereof;

FIG. 4 is sectional view, diagonally of the jig device, taken as on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken as on the bisectional line 5- 5 of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The picture mounting jig device of the instant invention is shown and described in small hand-tool configuration and in conjunction with the picture sheet A and backing card B. The picture mounting jig is indicated by numeral 12 and includes means for positioning the picture sheet and backing card items A and B in flatwise corresponding arrangement; the work item positioning means preferably includes a thin generally triangular base plate 14 and a right angular fence member 16 fixedly secured to the face surface 18 of the base plate. The fence member 16 is preferably of symmetricalform, including an apex portion 20 and reach portions 22, 22' extending along two edge margins of the base plate structure. The reach portions 22, 22' of the fence member 16 defines substantially right angular arranged abutment surfaces 24, 24' projecting respectively perpendicularly from the base plate planar face surface 18. The base and fence structure 14, 16 functions for positioning the picture sheet and backing card in corresponding flatwise relation and provides means for positioning the picture sheet A in exact position over the backing card B prior to adhesively bonding the sheet and card together.

The jig device includes separator means adapted for temporarily maintaining corresponding corner portions of the sheet and card items A and B in separated configuration during the initial stage of the picture mounting procedure. A separator element 26, having a thin broad major portion 28, is preferably provided for temporarily maintaining corresponding comer portions of the work items A and B in flatwise separated configuration. The separator element preferably is.

loosely-captive mounted on the base and fence structure l4, 16 with the thin broad major portion 28 disposed generally parallel with the face surface 18 of base plate 14 and generally diagonally between the reach portions 22, 22' of the fence structure 16. The separator element 16 preferably includes a pair of oppositely projecting tab portions 30, 30 received respectively in apertures 32, 32' formed diagonally respectively in reach portions 22, 22' of the fence structure 16.

The major portion 28 of the separator element preferably is of generally triangular form and defines trailing edge margins 34, 34'. The separator element preferably is mounted on the frame and base structure 16, 14 with the major portion 28 closely spaced from the base plate 14 and with the trailing edge margins 34, 34 contiguous to respectively the abutment surfaces 24, 24' of the fence structure. The major portion 28 of the separator element 26 defines substantially narrow pocket space 36 adapted for receiving a corner portion of the backing card item B. The triangular major portion 28 of the separator element preferably is of compound curve configuration, bowed upwardly along its leading edge 38 and bowed progressively downwardly toward the face surface 18 of the base plate. The compound-curve configuration of the separator element permits frictional retention of a backing card corner portion when the corner portion is inserted in the pocket space 36 of the jig device. The arcuate configuration of the separator leading edge margin 38 also facilitates ready insertion of a corner portion of the backing card in the pocket space between the separator element and base plate structure.

The separator element 36 preferably is formed of thin flat plastic material of semi-resilient character, permitting the major portion 28 thereof to flex upwardly and expand the pocket space 36 when a corner portion of a backing card is inserted in the pocket space The separator element 26 preferably is formed of plastic material having self-lubricating or soapy surface texture; Teflon plastic material is of such character and may be utilized in forming the separator element: since the backing card B will be provided with a coating of contact-sensitive adhesive, the soapy self-lubricative surface of the separator element is of particular significance; the soapy surface texture prevents particularly the undersurface of the separator major portion 28 from sticking to the contact adhesive on the upper surface of the comer portion of the backing card B and in hindering removal of the corner portion from the pocket space after the picture sheet and backing card are initially contact-joined.

In using the jib device, the following procedure may be carried out: With the jig device being firmly held between the thumb and fingers of one hand, the user inserts a selected corner of the backing card B in the pocket space 36 with the contact-adhesive-coated surface thereof facing upwardly. The user may then pick up the picture sheet A, and while holding the picture sheet in a canted disposition, place a corner portion thereof over the separator element 26 and press the corner portion downwardly against the separator element by the thumb of the hand holding the mounting jig. With the picture sheet comer portion seated against the fence structure 16, and while holding the corner portion with the thumb, the user may then bring the picture sheet downwardly and against the contact-adhesive surface of the backing card B. This will cause a substantial area of the picture sheet undersurface to engage the contact adhesive and the user may smooth the picture on the backing card by lightly squeezing the picture sheet and card between a finger and thumb and moving the hand away from the apex portion of the jig device. After the sheet and card items A and B are initially contact-joined in this manner, the user may retract the corresponding corner portions of the joined structure A, B from the jig device thereby removing the separator element 26 from between the comer portions; the user may then complete the procedure by smoothing the picture sheet over the entire adhesive surface of the backing card.

While the invention is shown and described in a presently preferred embodiment, it will be understood that the description is by way of example and that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A jig device operative in adhesively laminating two thin planar work items each having a front and a back surface and a corner portion demarcated by planar angular edges, said jig device including means for positioning said work items in flatwise corresponding arrangement including base means defining a generally planar base face, and fence means stationarily supported relative to said base face defining abutment surfaces adapted to simultaneously engage the angular edges respectively of the corner portions of said two work items when the work items are flatwise brought together backsurface to backsurface for adhesive securement, and including separator means for temporarily maintaining the corner portions of said work items apart during the adhesive bonding procedure, including a separator element having a substantially thin broad major portion adapted for disposition between said work item corner portions during the initial phase of use of the device in laminatingly bonding the work items; said device comprising an in hand size unitary tool configuration, wherein said abutment surfaces of said fence meanS are right angular and adapted to simultaneously engage flat face surface adapted to flatwise engage a corner portion front surface of one of the work items, with the corner portion thereof being disposed between said major portion of said separator element and said face surface; said major portion of said separator element being generally of thin elongate configuration generally parallel spaced from said planar base surface and diagonally disposed relative to said fence means and defining substantially a narrow slit-like pocket space for receiving the comer of one of the work items, and with the size and configuration of said pocket space permitting frictional retention of the comer portion of said work item during the initial phase of the laminating procedure; said separator element being of unitary construction and substantially loosely-captive mounted on said work item positioning means, permitting slight limited movement of said separator element upon insertion and removal of a corner portion of said work item in the pocket space between the base face and separator element; and said separator element including a pair of oppositely protruding tab portions, wherein said work item positioning means defines an aligned pair of openings, wherein said pair of tab portions are loosely received in respectively the pair of openings permitting limited movement of the separator element relative to said base face when a work item corner portion is received in said pocket space defined between said base face and the major portion of said separator element.

2. A jig device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the major portion of said separator element defines a generally right angular trailing edge portion contiguously arranged relative to said fence means, and wherein said separator element is arcuate configured and progressively turned toward said base face in a direction toward said fence means.

3. A jig device as set forth in claim 2 wherein at least the major portion of said separator element is provided with oppositely facing surfaces of soapy surface texture, providing non-adhesive surfaces for preventing contact-adhesive surfaces of a corner portion of a work item from adhering to said separator element. 

1. A jig device operative in adhesively laminating two thin planar work items each having a front and a back surface and a corner portion demarcated by planar angular edges, said jig device including means for positioning said work items in flatwise corresponding arrangement including base means defining a generally planar base face, and fence means stationarily supported relative to said base face defining abutment surfaces adapted to simultaneously engage the angular edges respectively of the corner portions of said two work items when the work items are flatwise brought together backsurface to backsurface for adhesive securement, and including separator means for temporarily maintaining the corner portions of said work items apart during the adhesive bonding procedure, including a separator element having a substantially thin broad major portion adapted for disposition between said work item corner portions during the initial phase of use of the device in laminatingly bonding the work items; said device comprising an in hand size unitary tool configuration, wherein said abutment surfaces of said fence meanS are right angular and adapted to simultaneously engage right angular surfaces of the flatwise corresponding corner portions of said work items; said base means defining a smooth flat face surface adapted to flatwise engage a corner portion front surface of one of the work items, with the corner portion thereof being disposed between said major portion of said separator element and said face surface; said major portion of said separator element being generally of thin elongate cOnfiguration generally parallel spaced from said planar base surface and diagonally disposed relative to said fence means and defining substantially a narrow slit-like pocket space for receiving the corner of one of the work items, and with the size and configuration of said pocket space permitting frictional retention of the corner portion of said work item during the initial phase of the laminating procedure; said separator element being of unitary construction and substantially loosely-captive mounted on said work item positioning means, permitting slight limited movement of said separator element upon insertion and removal of a corner portion of said work item in the pocket space between the base face and separator element; and said separator element including a pair of oppositely protruding tab portions, wherein said work item positioning means defines an aligned pair of openings, wherein said pair of tab portions are loosely received in respectively the pair of openings permitting limited movement of the separator element relative to said base face when a work item corner portion is received in said pocket space defined between said base face and the major portion of said separator element.
 2. A jig device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the major portion of said separator element defines a generally right angular trailing edge portion contiguously arranged relative to said fence means, and wherein said separator element is arcuate configured and progressively turned toward said base face in a direction toward said fence means.
 3. A jig device as set forth in claim 2 wherein at least the major portion of said separator element is provided with oppositely facing surfaces of soapy surface texture, providing non-adhesive surfaces for preventing contact-adhesive surfaces of a corner portion of a work item from adhering to said separator element. 